OC Ukeje, Career, Awards, Wife and Net Worth
OC Ukeje is a well-known Nigerian actor, model, and musician best remembered for his performance in the film Half of a Yellow Sun.
The award-winning actor was born on July 15, 1981, in Lagos, Nigeria. He is from Umuahia in Abia state, which is located in southeastern Nigeria and is dominated by the Igbo group.
His aim was to tour the world as a musician, but he ended up becoming more; he is now an actor, musician, and model. He is most recognized as an actor, for which he has received numerous honours since entering the film industry.
He began performing on stage as a student at the University of Lagos. White Water, a 2007 film in which he co-starred with Joke Silva and Rita Dominic, was one of his early films. He is also a supporter of the Arsenal football team.
OC Ukeje Profile Summary
- Full Name: Okechukwu Ukeje
- Date of Birth: July 15, 1981
- Place of Birth: Lagos
- State of Origin: Abia State
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Occupation: Actor and musician
- Net Worth: $3.7 million
- Wife/Spouse: Senami Ibukunoluwa Togonu-Bickersteth
OC Ukeje Early Life
Okechukwu Chukwudi Ukeje was born Okechukwu Chukwudi Ukeje. He was born on July 15, 1981, in Lagos, Nigeria, where he also grew up.
He is from the Igbo-majority state of Abia, and he is the second of his parents’ three children. He received his secondary education in Lagos at the Federal Government College Ijanikin.
Despite his considerable interest in music and acting, he was not pursuing a degree in any subject. He earned a BSc. degree in Marine Sciences from the University of Lagos, Yaba (Unilag).
Also read Hubert Ogunde Biography
OC Ukeje Career
OC Ukeje participated in school plays to hone his acting skills. While pursuing a music career, he played main roles in several theatre plays.
Back in 2005, he competed in and won a reality TV show hosted by Amstel Malta, Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO). His celebrity as the winner of a reality TV show drew attention to him.
His first film was Wetin Dey (2005), a BBC World Service Trust-sponsored series in which he co-starred with Uzor Osimkpa. He also appeared in the 2007 film White Water, directed by Izu Ojukwu.
OC Ukeje is best known for his performance in the 2013 film Half of a Yellow Sun, which was based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel of the same name.
He co-starred in the film as “Aniekwena” with Genevieve Nnaji, John Boyega, and Zack Orji. He appeared in the NdaniTV series Gidi Up alongside actors and actresses like as Titilope Sonuga, Deyemi Okanlawon, Somkele Iyamah, and Ikechukwu Onunaku.
OC Ukeje has appeared in films such as Comrade, Confusion Na Wa, and Awakening. He also appeared in Jeta Amata’s directorial debut, Black November (2012). He appeared in Black November opposite Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger, Sarah Wayne-Callies, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, and Vivica Fox.
His theatrical presence was recognized internationally when he performed with the Nigerian team in the London Cultural Olympiad in 2012. He also played the character Iku in the British Film Institute (BFI)-sponsored comedy film Gone Too Far.
Filmography
- White Waters – 2007
- Comrade – 2008
- Black Gold – 2011
- Two Brides, and a Baby – 2011
- Black November – 2012
- Hoodrush – 2012
- Till Death Do Us Part (Short) – 2012
- Confusion Na Wa – 2013
- Awakening – 2013
- Alan Poza – 2013
- Half of a Yellow Sun – 2013
- Gone Too Far – 2013
- The Rubicon – 2013
- Secret Room – 2013
- 2014 – 2019
- When Love Happens – 2014
- Gidi Up – 2014
- A Temple Made of Clay (Short play) – 2014
- Love or Something like that – 2014
- The Department – 2015
- Heaven’s Hell – 2015
- Before 30 – 2015
- Ayanda – 2015
- The Arbitration – 2016
- Remember Me – 2016
- North East – 2016
- Catch. er – 2017
- Shades of Attraction – 2018
- In Sickness and Health – 2018
- The Royal Hibiscus Hotel – 2018
- Hunter’s Game – 2019
- Ashen – 2019
- Cidade Passaro (Shine Your Ey
Awards and Nomination
OC Ukeje was named Best Upcoming Actor at the 2008 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). He received the same award in 2010 at the City People’s Award for Best New Act.
In January 2015, the Nigerian Cinema Exhibition Coalition named him one of the performers with the highest 2014 box office grosser. Other honours he has received include:
- Most Promising Actor, White Water – Africa Movie Academy Awards, 2008
- Best Lead Actor, Alan Poza – Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2013
- Best Lead Actor in an English Movie – Alan Poza, Best of Nollywood Awards, 2013
- Best Actor in a Lead Role, Hoodrush – Nollywood Movies Awards, 2013
- Best Actor in a Drama, Two Brides, and a Baby – Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, 2013
At the 9th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, he was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in Confusion Na Wa.
In 2015 and 2016, OC Ukeje was nominated for Best Actor of the Year (English) by the City People Award. In addition, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) named him a rising star in 2016, alongside Nigerian actress Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama.
At the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), he was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy (Movie/TV Series).
Personal Life
OC Ukeje is married to Senami Ibukunoluwa Togonu-Bickersteth and has a family in Canada.
He does not live closely with his wife, whom he married on November 8, 2014.
Net Worth
OC Ukeje is a Nigerian-born actor with international fame and credits. His estimated net worth is $3.7 million.
